British Soul songstress Julie Dexter talks about her beginnings, the industry & "the beautiful struggle" balancing roles of wife and mother with being an artist

[stlhiphop]

b-gyrl caught up with British soul songstress Julie Dexter before her St. Louis show (tonight at Plush featuring N'dambi and DJ Needles) to discuss how it all began, the music game and balancing career with family.

b-gyrl:How did it all begin for Julie Dexter?

Julie Dexter:Born and raised in Birhmingham, England, I had Jamacian parents...was always into music, from a young age, played the clarinet, played the violin, and starting doing music, the vocals singing and stuff. I went to college in London, did an exchange program actually in the States, in Virginia at ..... University and took a Jazz class at that time. Finished my degree, majored in Jazz Voice, changed up from Classical Clarinet to Jazz Voice because Jazz was moving me more. When I finished my degree I basically just you know, went out into the wide world I guess, going to jam sessions, singing at a churial, making a fool out of myself basically trying to hone my chops (laughing)

And then I toured with Courtney Pine who was and still is a phenominal saxaphone player, musician... major league, Japan and Europe singing and performing with him, then joined another band which is my own band. Fast forward to 1999 when I came and did my first show in the States, moved here in 2000 and have been here every since.

I own my own label independly, Katch A Vibe Records. To date I've released four albums on my label, six albums total.

b-gyrl:Four albums on your own? I'm completely blown away... there's a misconception a lot of people have, they think you just jump into it, not understanding that it takes a lot of hard word, people go to school, they earn degrees... let me ask you this, usually when we hear about people taking that route, we think they're going to go teach music appreciation or composition somewhere... did people look at you crazy when you decided to pursue a career as an artist?

Julie Dexter:From a family standpoint, my mother who raised me and always wanted the best for me, she was hoping that I would, I guess, you know... she never discouraged me, she always encouraged me but hoped I would eventually 'get over it' and get a proper job with benefits you know what I'm saying? After she saw that I wasn't doing that and was still pursuing, the determination and everything I do towards being an artist, she realized this is who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do and she gave me full 400% backing. "As long as you're happy", "Happy?", "Are you making money", "Are you happy?"...she always been the best, had the most encouraging words for me.

She's proud of me, so far I've been able to enjoy my life and have been happy, through the ups and downs, not on the monetary success I've had but the fact that I've been able to make a living successfully at doing I enjoy what I love which is my music, she's proud of me. What everybody says (laughing), they can look at me crazy, it really doesn't bother me. My mother is the person I look to the most for validation, like "Am I doing okay Mom?", "Yeah you're straight", I'm like cool.

b-gyrl:You're one of the first artists to create their own independent movement rather than chase a major label deal, were you ever tempted by the majors or did you go into this knowing you would do it independently?

Julie Dexter:I didn't know I was going to do it independently. I didn't know how this was going to turn out, I guess, in all honestly, I've never been approached... I never had the opportunity to say "OK, this is an opportunity for me to be signed to a major label" or have a major deal. Its not like I turned any down or shunned them away.

b-gyrl:WOW! Majors are you listening???

Julie Dexter:I've been secretly hoping that they would, but at the same just in case they don't I better get this ball rolling. My philosopy is instead of waiting for someone to make you, you have to do what it takes in case that knock never comes on your door. A lot of people are self made, not just in music.

I don't have a problem with the route I take, I'm very much in control of my life and the woman I am, it suits me. I want to be able to make my own decisions and do things, follow my heart and be creative the way I want and not be told that I have to lose 10 pounds or make a hit like the last one or do a song with this person. I'm not that person. I'm not that chick.

I'm free, not wild and what have you, very spiritly, I go with vibrations more than anything else and don't conform the rules and regulations of this industry.

b-gyrl:I remember when I first heard your name and first heard your music... a friend of mine turned me on you many, many, many, many years ago on the old mp3.com. You were one of the first artists indie or major to really embrace the online movement and use it as a way to distribute music and connect with your fanbase. What do you think about what's happening right now? We're in a digital revolution when it comes to... pretty much everything, not just entertainment, EVERYTHING! Things have changed so much since 2000. In 2000 we didn't have Facebook or Twitter, we didn't have social networks or Youtube.

Julie Dexter:Its funny that you said that you consider me one who was on the forefront of online, at this point I'm trying to play catch up. Its moving so fast. I was late with my Facebook, late with my Twitter. I'm not tweeting everyday because its not condusive to my lifestyle, I'm a mom and a wife and having kids and stuff but I'm still trying to be current, stay hip and stay available to my audience and make myself known to audiences who have yet to be introduced to me.

I find it so difficult without a team or without a staff... with the majors you have someone. You hire a person, you hire for facebook, literally your social networks are manned by two, three or four people because you can't physically do it all by yourself. Not enough hours in a day. You're living, doing stuff that normal people do, like having a life, eating, sleeping, bathing, showering, its impossible.

I'm like 'MAN!' I need to hire someone just for that, its a lot of work.

b-gyrl:It IS a lot of work, and its instant, nonstop 24/7...

Julie Dexter:And you can be like "I don't even want to be bothered", but if you got any sense you would be "bothered", its free access to your audience, its a way to get your name out there, a way to expose yourself for free. It doesn't cost you a penny, just the monthly fee on your internet, going to Starbucks or getting free WiFi. Its free. It just takes your time.

b-gyrl:You're a mother and a wife?

Julie Dexter:

Yes, I'm a mother and wife. My son is almost 8 month's old and my daughter is 6 years old.

b-gyrl: How do you balance? How do you balance life as an artist and all that entails with mother and spouse?

Julie Dexter:I call it the beautiful struggle, I thought I was struggling before I had the kid and stuff, but you're not really struggling until you have them, I'm speaking from my experience. Everything I do is about them and for them, if its a gig, what's it paying? I have to feed my kids. I'm not going to gip them, I would rather spend time at home than be out there, especially when its not worth my time.

My time I find is so much more valuable. I don't want to be out there for sufferance, I want to be out there doing something I know that's going to help, something I can bring back into my home or just spend the time with my kids. The balance is, the stuggle is that I hate leaving them, I want to be with them 24/7 if I can, even when they're driving me crazy I still want to be with them. They're my inspiration. Everyday I look into their eyes, this is why I'm doing what I'm doing.

 

Check Julie Dexter live tonite at Plush featuring N'dambi and DJ Needles.

[Jerry Doby]

Excellent interview...I enjoyed reading this artist's history and move through the international maze. Well done B-Gyrl! #salute

jdobypr
http://jdobypr.com